Clasp for books.



G. L. BALDAUF. CLASP FOR BOOKS.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 21. 1907.

Patented July 12, 1910.

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n sr'r i CHARLES IJ. BALDAUF, OF WEST HOIBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS NELSON 8c SONS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CLASP FOR BOOKS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES LOUIS BAL- DAUF, a citizen of the United States, residing in Vest Hoboken, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps for Books, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to clasps for books and has for its object to provide a device of this kind which will securely lock the book in its closed condition and which is capable of being moved out of the way when it is desired to open and use the book.

My invention will be fully described hereinafter and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the appended claim.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a book in its closed condition with my improved clasp applied thereto; Fig. 2 is an end-elevation thereof with parts in section, and Fig. 3 is a rear face view, showing the clasp in position out of the Way to permit the book to be opened and used.

A represents the front-cover of the book and B the rear cover thereof. A loop C which may be of the same material as the cover is secured to the rear-cover B in any suitable manner.

D is a strip of material preferably of the same kind as the cover of the book and provided with enlarged ends D, D This locking strip is arranged to slide freely in the loop 0 and is provided with a fastening device E in the end D This fastening device may be of the glove fastener type and cooperates with the fastening member E secured to the cover A. WVhen it is desired to lock the book in its closed condition the strip D is drawn through the loop C to the left, in Fig. 3, until the enlarged end D engages said loop after which the end D thereof is brought around to the front of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 21, 1907.

Patented July 12, 1910.

Serial No. 389,596.

the book and the fastening device E brought into locking engagement with the device E located on the front cover A. With the parts in this position the book is securely held in its closed condition. If it is now desired to open the book the fastening device E is disengaged from the device E and the locking strip is drawn back through the loop G into the position'shown in Fig. 3 where it lies completely within the contour line of the cover to which it is attached. In this position the strip is almost as much out of the way as if it did not exist. In this position the book can be freely opened and the locking strip is out of the way and does not interfere with such opening.

In the position shown in Fig. 3 the looking strip lies flat up against the rear cover of the book and does not, in any way, interfere with the free use thereof. The enlarged ends D, D prevent the strip I) from being drawn completely through the loop G and thus obviate the danger of the parts becoming separated and lost.

Various modifications may be made with out departing from the nature of my invention, as defined in the claim.

I claim:

A device for locking books in their closed condition comprising a locking strip having permanent but slidable connection with one cover of said book and adapted to be drawn completely within the contour of said cover, and a fastening member on the other cover of said book with which said locking strip is adapted to be brought into locking engagement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OHARLES L. BALDAUF.

Witnesses:

FRITZ v. BRIESEN, JOHN A. KEHLENBEOK. 

